Queue management system and method

Abstract

An automated waiting line transaction management system that provides patrons/users the option of queuing up and waiting in the standard attraction line at a venue or obtaining an ID unit that can be used for purchasing a pass to bypass the normal line. The venue administrator sets pass prices for each attraction on a real time basis either manually or through a venue algorithm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attraction waiting line management system for use with personal identification units having monetary credit associated therewith and a network comprising:
 a first queue whereby users access an attraction by waiting in line;   a second queue whereby users bypass said first queue to gain access to said attraction;   a venue communication device establishing a price, through said network, for a user to purchase a pass for access to said second queue; and   an identification unit reader deducting said price from the credit of said unit and permitting access to said attraction by the holder of said unit.   
     
     
         2 . An attraction waiting line management system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said network is the internet. 
     
     
         3 . An attraction waiting line management system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said personal identification unit is an RFID bracelet. 
     
     
         4 . An automated system for managing waiting time at an attraction for use with personal identification units having monetary credit associated therewith and a network comprising:
 a venue communication device communicating with said system, through said network, for establishing a price for a user to purchase a pass for priority access to said attraction; and   an identification unit reader deducting said price from the credit of said unit and permitting priority access to said attraction by the holder of said unit.   
     
     
         5 . An automated system as defined by  claim 4  wherein said network is the internet. 
     
     
         6 . An automated system as defined by  claim 4  wherein said identification unit is an RFID bracelet. 
     
     
         7 . An automated system for managing waiting time at an attraction within a venue for use with personal identification units having monetary credit associated therewith and a network comprising:
 a server capable of receiving and transmitting communications;   a personal identification database containing information representing each of a plurality of personal identification units, said personal identification unit database in communication with said server;   an attractions database containing information representing one or more attractions within a venue offering priority access for a fee, said attractions database in communication with said server;   said server capable of communicating with a venue communication device receiving fee information for priority access to said attraction and for transmitting information to said attraction concerning a price for said priority access; and   an identification unit reader at each of said attractions within the venue deducting said price from said credit of said unit and permitting priority access to said attraction by the holder of said unit.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said identification unit is an RFID bracelet. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said personal identification unit database comprises unique identification information for users within the database. 
     
     
         10 . A venue waiting line management system for use with one or more attractions within the venue and venue specific personal identification units having monetary credit associated therewith and a network comprising:
 a first queue whereby patrons access an attraction by waiting in line;   a second queue whereby patrons bypass said first queue to gain access to said attraction;   a venue communication device for establishing a price, through said network, for a patron to purchase a pass for access to said second queue; and   an attraction identification unit reader for deducting said price from said credit of said personal identification unit and permitting access to said second queue by the personal identification unit holder.   
     
     
         11 . An admission management system comprising:
 an attraction;   a first queue whereby users access said attraction by waiting in line;   a second queue whereby users bypass said first queue to gain access to said attraction;   a personal identification unit, said unit including an identification code and said unit further including an indicia of a number of negotiable credits associated with said identification code;   a personal identification unit reader capable of recognizing said personal identification code and the negotiable credits associated with such code, said reader also capable of effecting a modification of the number of credits associated with such code;   an attraction communication device capable of communicating with said reader and transmitting to said reader information establishing a number of negotiable credits for access to said second queue;   whereby said reader and said personal identification unit are configured to allow access to said second queue by subtracting the number of negotiable credits for accessing said second queue from the number of negotiable credits associated with the personal identification code for said personal identification unit.   
     
     
         12 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein the attraction is an amusement park attraction. 
     
     
         13 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein the attraction is a restaurant. 
     
     
         14 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein the attraction is a concert. 
     
     
         15 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein the attraction is a sporting event. 
     
     
         16 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein the attraction is a ski lift. 
     
     
         17 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein the negotiable credits are monetary credits. 
     
     
         18 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein the negotiable credits are award points. 
     
     
         19 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein the personal identification unit is an RFID bracelet. 
     
     
         20 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein the system further comprises a personal communication device capable of communicating with the personal identification unit. 
     
     
         21 . The management system of  claim 20  wherein the personal communication device is capable of modifying the number of negotiable credits associated with said personal identification code. 
     
     
         22 . The management system of  claim 20  wherein the personal communication device is capable of monitoring the use of the negotiable credits associated with said personal identification code. 
     
     
         23 . The management system of  claim 20  wherein the personal communication device is capable of receiving information identifying the location of said personal identification unit. 
     
     
         24 . The management system of  claim 20  wherein the personal communication device is capable of transmitting messages associated with said personal identification code. 
     
     
         25 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein said reader is capable of displaying messages associated with said personal identification code. 
     
     
         26 . The management system of  claim 11  wherein said reader is capable of transmitting information related to said personal identification unit.